View synonyms for infancy

infancy

[ in-fuhn-see ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural in·fan·cies.

the state or period of being an infant; very early childhood, usually the period before being able to walk; babyhood.
the corresponding period in the existence of anything; very early stage:
Space science is in its infancy.
infants collectively.
Law. the period of life to the age of majority, 21 years at common law but now usually 18; minority; nonage.

infancy

/ ˈɪnfənsɪ /

the state or period of being an infant; childhood
an early stage of growth or development
infants collectively
the period of life prior to attaining legal majority (reached at 21 under common law, at 18 by statute); minority nonage

Origin of infancy¹

From the Latin word infantia, dating back to 1485–95. See infant, -cy

There was no YouTube or social media; the Internet was in its infancy.

The nuclear metamorphosized giant monster genre was in its infancy when Godzilla was first born.

As for social mobility, Tocqueville wrote at a time when American industry was in its infancy.

I was a young reporter in the city and covered this controversy in its infancy.

However, Kuniak is hopeful for the future, stating this type of therapy is still “in its infancy.”

By its operation Gordon Wright, the most sensible man of our acquaintance, is reduced to the level of infancy!

The period of infancy is fixed by law, and is therefore a conventional, yet needful regulation.

In most states infancy ends at the age of twenty-one, though some states fix a younger period, eighteen for women.

From our earliest infancy he inspired us, not so much with love as with respect and adoration.

If nothing is done during infancy inaction operates generally as an affirmation.

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